Hitchins Chases Teofimo, But Gary Antuanne Still Haunts Him

IBF light welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins says he’s open to fighting WBA champion Gary Antuanne Russell. In an interview, Hitchins said Russell “can get it.”

The 0-4 Ghost That Won’t Leave

However, it’s unclear whether the former Matchroom-promoted Hitchins is serious about fighting Russell, as his record against him is 0-4 from their amateur days. Antuanne dominated Hitchins all four times they met in the amateur, and defeated him in the 2016 Olympics.

Recently, Russell (18-1, 17 KOs) expressed interest in fighting the unbeaten Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs). It would be the easiest fight to make if Richardson is willing to face Antuanne Russell because he clearly wants the bout.

“Nothing came to us about Gary Russell and a unification. He’s trying to get a big fight. Nobody came to us and said, ‘You can fight Gary’ or Turki, or anybody came to me that I know,” said Richardson Hitchins to the 10-8 podcast about a unification fight against WBA 140-lb champion Gary Antuanne Russell being offered to him.

“When I came out of the ring against George Kambosos, my eyes were on Teofimo. It makes sense. Two Brooklyn guys, a unification. It’s going to be next. Shakur kind of intercepted it,” said Hitchins.

There’s no way that Richardson can get a fight against WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo because he’s not popular enough. Teo spelled it out recently, saying the networks aren’t interested in a fight between him and Hitchins because he’s not popular enough.

Hitchins is trying to hustle a fight, calling out Teofimo Lopez and the winner of the Devin Haney vs. Brian Norman Jr. fight. No one has shown any interest in fighting Hitchins other than Antuanne Russell.

The problem is, Hitchins’ style, which is a cross between Shakue Stevenson and Devin Haney, makes him undesirable because he’s too defensive. For the Brooklyn, New York native Hitchins to get the big money fights he wants, he needs to take risks against his four-time conqueror, Antuanne Russell, and against these talents at 140:

• Subriel Matias
• Keyshawn Davis
• Ernesto Mercado

Thus far, Hitchins has treated those fighters as if they don’t exist, not mentioning their names and showing no desire to face them. So, that leaves Richardson in a tough spot career-wise. He can’t secure the lucrative mega-million fights he wants because he lacks the necessary resume, and he’s unwilling to take the risks with his career to increase his popularity enough to attract them.

Zero Conviction on ‘He Can Get It’

“So, Gary went on the Internet and was just running his mouth. He’s trying to get a big fight, the same thing I’m doing with Teofimo that he’s doing with me. If Gary wants it, he can get it. If he wants to get in the ring, I can show him I’m a better fighter,” said Hitchins.

There seemed to be a lack of energy in Hitchins when making this comment about Russell. He didn’t appear animated or believable in what he was saying. It was as if he were mouthing words but with zero conviction behind them. You can’t blame Hitchins if he’s not interested in fighting Antuanne Russell.

He lost four times against him and never came close to beating him in the amateurs. In the pros, Russell looks even more formidable than he was in the amateurs, and he punches hard with both hands. It would be a nightmarish match-up for the finesse fighter Hitchins to deal with, as he would have to box and move all night to avoid getting taken out.

“We can make it happen. But as far as right now, he has a task at hand. I’ve got a fight coming up. That fight is going to happen in the near future. I’m looking to get a unification. if not, I’m going to see what’s next,” said Hitchins.